Episode 59 – Make the Most of Your Military Travel Benefits

Milspouse Matters Episode 59 with Stephanie Montague

Make the most of your military travel benefits!

On this episode, I’m talking to Stephanie Montague about how to make the best use of your military travel benefits, including Space-A flights (Space Available) and military recreation facilities. 

Full-time Military Travel

She also shares how she and her husband did not do the typical ‘life after military retirement’ and how they’ve instead traveled and lived overseas since his retirement from the Army in 2015. Be warned: you may get a serious case of wanderlust after listening to this episode!

Of course, COVID has changed all things travel related, so if you’re hoping to travel Space-A, keep up with the latest official guidance from Air Mobility Command. 

Here’s more about this episode’s guest, Stephanie Montague!

Stephanie Montague is the founder of the military travel website “Poppin’ Smoke.” She helps members of our community make the most of their travel-related benefits and their life after the military.

Stephanie and her husband have been traveling and living abroad – including 2 and half years in Japan – since he retired from the Army in 2015. As of December 2020, they just obtained a residence visa and moved to Rota, Spain! 

Throughout their travels, they’ve taken advantage of Space-A flights and used military recreation facilities all over the world. 

Stephanie wants her readers to see that travel doesn’t have to be expensive – and that having a second career is not the only option after military retirement.

Connect with Stephanie! 

Poppin Smoke: www.poppinsmoke.com

Poppin Smoke on Facebook and Instagram 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Jen’s “My Favorite Things”:

• I Miss You Most book by Cassie Hoyt

• Veteran’s Spouse Project Virtual Military Ball Fundraiser

• Soldiers’ Angels Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Resources mentioned by Stephanie Montague/Poppin’ Smoke:  

• Quickstart Guide to Military Space-A Flights

• Military Recreational Lodging

• What to Wear and Bring on a Space-A Flight

• Using TRICARE and Seeking Medical Care While Traveling Overseas

• The Expat Military Retiree Interview Series

• Interview with the AF Retiree Spouse Who Moved to Portugal

• Retired Navy Family Sailing Full-Time

More resources for your military life:

• Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram
• Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group
• Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive and listen to every episode

Get Jen’s book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse.

Have a topic idea for the Milspouse Matters podcast or know someone who’d be a great guest? Send me a note or fill out our guest application.

Want more security for your travel? Check out HERO Luggage Locks below, which can be used even with TSA security checks!